Tuesday 9 March 2010

ABC Wednesday - Hest Bank

 
No question of where I am this week. The sign says it all.  And as a side issue you may notice there is a fish and chips quiz night on Friday the 19th.  Nothing beats the British love of deep fried cuisine.

 
After all that build up it might be a bit of a disappointment to see the bridge, which is practical rather than beautiful, a footpath over the canal, and as you know already, swings away to let the canal boats pass.

It is located by the village of Hest Bank (which has become sort of dormitory town for the nearby city of Lancaster)
 
and sits on the shore of Morecambe Bay.  The views were hazy on Monday but on a clear day you can see the hills of the Lake District so it is the opposite of the view I normally have, as I look across towards Hest Bank.

Three photographs and not a sign of the canal so here it comes
 
round the bend, with just the remains of a sliver of morning ice on the surface,

and to Hest Bank Bridge, stone and solid.  For any Arsenal fans that may be reading this, one of yours lives here, because the red boat far left is called, The Gooner.  There are also a fair number of seagulls in this image because the canal runs very near to the shore and at one time (pre 1826) goods were trans-shipped here between sailing boats in Morecambe Bay and canal barges.



You have seen the practical bridge and now here is a pretty one.  The Hest Bank Occupation bridge.  I don't know why it is called that, but the Hest Bank Hotel is near here, which was on a coaching route to Grange Over Sands on the opposite side of the bay. A light in the window facing the shore would guide coachmen across the sands.
 
But now I journeyed on and past the Hest Bank bridges and looked back to the white houses of the village standing on the horizon. This next section from Hest Bank to the Lune Aqueduct is pretty part of the canal, it runs through fields and agricultural land but no more H, apart from a

Heron which was perched firmly on the fence looking well away from the water, I wonder what it was looking for, perhaps there is a fish farm nearby, or perhaps like us, it was just enjoying the warm spring day.

 Hurry over to ABC Wednesday where there are lots more words beginning with H


14 comments:

Sylvia K said...

What a lovely and interesting post! Your photos are delightful, Joy! A really beautiful place and I love the bridges! Hope you're having a great week so far!

Sylvia

Carol said...

Great post, Joy! Wonderful H's and I like the pretty bridge, and the heron shot.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Oh, I really love that last bridge! If I were a plein air painter, I would paint that bridge (I'm sure many HAVE)!

Amy said...

Joy, I like the contrast of the two bridges. Very beautiful depictions of an obviously beautiful place. Thank you!

Hildred said...

Marvelous photos of a very inviting looking spot. I like the image of the coachman watching for the light in the window to guide him...

photowannabe said...

What a delightful place. I would like to stroll along the canal. Thanks for sharing.

Jay said...

That's a great series of pictures! Lucky to get a heron to pose, too!

I like the Occupation Bridge, and the view to the white houses of the village is very pretty.

Monika said...

what lovely pictures

jabblog said...

Thank you for taking us along on your walk. It looked a perfect Spring day.

Tania said...

Just wonderful shots and landscape!!:-)

Kim, USA said...

I think I so love to hang out in that area. You might have a good sight for the sunset there. Great shot too!

H for Hairdo

Roger Owen Green said...

I especially love the area under the Occupation bridge. Looks oddly familiar.

Tumblewords: said...

An absolutely fascinating post! The photos are superb and the place looks looks like a wonderful spot to spend time, time and more time!

Christine H. said...

I love those sturdy stone bridges...and I would love to be taking a walk along the canal right now.